AC 3.4 Flashcards
What are the aims of the police?
Maintain law and order, protection of life and property, preservation of peace, prevention and detection of criminal offences.
What limitations were observed in the case study of John Lowe?
The police returned firearms to John Lowe despite prior allegations of threats, failing to assess the risk he posed.
What did the IPCC find regarding the police’s handling of John Lowe’s case?
The police did not adequately assess the risk posed by John Lowe and failed to fulfill their aims of protection of life and prevention of criminal offences.
What is intelligence-led policing?
It uses existing knowledge to determine crime trends and patterns, influencing police targeting of individuals.
What was the outcome of the Cromer case study?
Police recorded 37 crimes during a weekend of disorder but initially classed it as a ‘low-level disturbance’ and later admitted to misjudging the situation.
What is a limitation related to situational racism in policing?
Stop and searches disproportionately affect black and minority groups, hindering police relations with the community.
What shortcomings were noted in the police’s handling of domestic abuse?
The arrest rate has fallen, bail conditions are not used effectively, and staff shortages delay responses, putting victims at risk.
What criticisms have been made regarding police investigations?
The MacPherson report highlighted failures in gathering evidence in the murder case of Stephen Lawrence.
What trend was observed in the Metropolitan Police’s case handling in 2018?
The Metropolitan Police dropped 2.9 times as many cases on the day they were reported compared to 2013.
What are some strengths of the police?
Main agency for crime detection, investigation, and prevention, with a high volume of cases brought to trial each year.
What is the role of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)?
Advising police, reviewing cases, determining charges (except minor cases), and preparing cases for court.
What two tests does the CPS use?
The evidential test (admissibility, reliability, credibility) and the public interest test (impact on community, victim suffering).
What success has the CPS achieved?
In a typical three-month period, it prosecutes around 80,000 cases in Crown Court and 450,000 in magistrates’ courts, with around 80% conviction rates.
What criticism has been made regarding the CPS’s case building?
In high-profile cases, the CPS has failed to build adequate cases, leading to prosecutions collapsing.
What bureaucratic criticisms have been directed at the CPS?
The CPS has been criticized for being too close to the police, inefficient, and slow in proceeding with cases.
What communication failures have been noted in the CPS?
Suspects have sometimes learned that their cases were dropped through media rather than direct communication.
What is the role of the judiciary?
Ensures trials are fair, human rights compliant, and maintains consistency and fairness through a system of precedents.
What bias was observed in a sentencing case involving an Oxford student?
The judge suspended a 10-month jail sentence, suggesting immediate custody would damage her career, raising concerns of bias.
What is the Unduly Lenient Sentences scheme?
Allows victims and the public to request a review of sentences they believe are unduly lenient for serious offences.
What happens if a sentence is found to be unduly lenient?
The Court of Appeal may increase the sentence if it finds it significantly below what should have been imposed.
What does the data suggest about judges and lenient sentences?
In 2018, 140 cases were referred for review, with 99 sentences increased, indicating judges are generally not unduly lenient.
What examples exist of unduly severe sentences?
Some offenders from the 2011 riots received custodial sentences for minor theft offences.
What are the aims of prisons?
To achieve social control by punishing offenders and rehabilitating them for a crime-free life upon release.
What limitations are faced by prisons?
Staff cuts, overcrowding, and failure to address rehabilitation needs contribute to challenges in maintaining control and reducing re-offending.
What issues arise from prison overcrowding?
Overcrowding contributes to discontent and rule-breaking, with a significant increase in prison population over the years.
What are the rehabilitation challenges faced by prisons?
Prisons often cannot address mental health, drug dependency, and lack of qualifications, leading to high re-offending rates.
What are the aims of probation?
To keep victims informed about the progress of offenders’ sentences and manage offenders’ rehabilitation.
Why were Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRCs) set up?
To reduce re-offending through part-privatisation of the probation service, targeting low-risk offenders.
What evidence shows CRCs failed to meet expectations?
19 out of 21 CRCs failed to meet rehabilitation targets, leading to additional funding and eventual contract termination.
What bias influenced the establishment of CRCs?
The Conservative government’s ideology favored privatisation as an effective means of achieving social control in the justice sector.
What did Dame Glenys Stacey say about part-privatisation of probation?
She called it ‘irredeemably flawed’ and emphasized that core work should remain in public hands.
How successful has the National Probation Service (NPS) been?
The NPS has achieved better outcomes than CRCs, with lower re-offending rates, but faces challenges like staff shortages.
What is the role of pressure groups like the Prison Reform Trust?
They advocate for a just and humane penal system, focusing on mental health treatment instead of incarceration.
What success did the Prison Reform Trust achieve in 2011?
The government committed £50 million to develop services for vulnerable suspects and defendants in police stations and courts.
What is Nacro’s role as a pressure group?
Nacro campaigns against Friday releases from prison and provides accommodation and support for ex-offenders.
How does Nacro help achieve social control?
By addressing homelessness among ex-offenders, which is a major driver of re-offending.
